Derbyshire Courier
25 January 1916CRICH CORPORAL'S PAINFUL INJURY
Cpl William Cooke, of the Royal Field Artillery, who is attached to the shoeing and smith's department (BEF) writing home to his parents, Mr and Mrs G. Cooke, Tor View, Crich Common, informs them that he met with an accident on Christmas Day. He says that whilst following his occupation just behind the firing line in France he was severely kicked on the head by a horse and sustained a painful injury. He writes that he is now progressing favourably and expects getting out of the doctors hands soon after the time of writing his letter. Cpl Cooke at the time of his enlistment, was employed as blacksmith at Messrs Glossop's of Ambergate.

Derbyshire Courier 16 November 1918CRICH, LEA, & HOLLOWAY.
A bitter experience befell Mr and Mrs George Cooke, of the Common, Crich, on Monday, four after having heard from their son Pte. Duncan Cooke, a few days previously that he was coming on leave, wire reach them to say he had died of bronchial pneumonia at a base Hospital at Rouen. Pte. Cooke, who was attached to the Sherwood Transport section, had started from the front on leave, but on reaching Rouen was detained there through an attack of influenza. This developed to pneumonia and he died on Thursday of last week. Pte. Cooke joined the Sherwood's about 4 years ago. He was a prominent player of the Crich United football club. Before enlisting he was employed at the Ambergate Mills as a wire drawer he was 25 years of age. His elder brother, Corpl. William Cooke, is in France.

In the Medal Roll Index cards there are two William Cookes with the rank of Corporal.